Darcy Tucker and Andrew Brayshaw helped their team to a dominant seven-goal win in a ‘Purple v Yellow’ match sim on Friday.
The Purple midfield of Brayshaw, Tucker, Nathan O’Driscoll and ruck Lloyd Meek delivered a strong performance against Yellow’s Will Brodie, Connor Blakely, Neil Erasmus and ruck Sean Darcy.
Purple kicked eleven goals to Yellow’s four through the four 15 minute quarters.
Lachie Schultz (two) and Brennan Cox (four) benefited most from the Purple midfield’s service by kicking multiple goals, alongside Tucker, who kicked two from the midfield.
Due to Fremantle’s depth in defence, and with key forwards Matt Taberner and Josh Treacy on the sidelines, Cox switched forward for the game and had a good battle against Joel Hamling.
Michael Frederick made the most of his opportunities up forward for Yellow, kicking three of their four goals, with Rory Lobb contributing the other.
The ruck battle was an intriguing one, with Darcy and Meek proving to be even opponents throughout the session. Meek provided the highlight between the pair, with a strong contested mark 15 metres out from goal and converting the set shot.
After Yellow kicked three of the opening five goals, Tucker and Brayshaw got to work and helped Purple control possession.
Erasmus continued to show he can compete against AFL opponents, winning plenty of the ball for Yellow, while O’Driscoll gradually had more impact throughout the game.
The second-year midfielder was a key in one passage of play to set up a Tucker goal. After Brennan Cox crumbed at half back, O’Driscoll burst through the centre to link up with Joel Western and eventually find Tucker in front of goal via a Liam Henry mark in the pocket.
Western’s pace then contributed to another goal minutes later, teaming up with Nathan Wilson to set up Cox for his fourth goal.
Purple’s ability to control the ball was highlighted by Michael Walters’ goal in the final term. The ball started with Blake Acres in their defensive 50, eventually getting to Walters via kicks and marks to Hayden Young, Luke Ryan, Tucker, Cox and Schultz.
Both Young and Sam Sturt (Yellow) played the full four quarters to show their injury concerns were behind them.
A smart handball from Sturt set up Frederick for his second goal while a pin-point kick from Young on the 45 degree from half back to half forward set up Meek’s goal via Acres and Western.
Young’s inside 50 also led to Schultz’s second major, who goaled after being awarded a free kick in the marking contest.
After starting up forward for Purple, Bailey Banfield moved into the middle for Yellow in the final term, teaming up with Erasmus to win the clearance for Frederick’s third goal.
Playing at opposing half backs, Ryan was at his influential best for Purple while Heath Chapman (Yellow) showed he is continuing to progress, taking arguably the mark of the day.
The one-hour hitout was Fremantle’s longest of the pre-season, starting with four 10 minutes quarters a fortnight ago and playing 12.5 minute quarters last week.
